Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC rankings due to a lack of recent fights. His last bout was against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, which he lost by stoppage. Since that defeat, Covington has not competed in the octagon. During his absence from active competition, Covington has been involved in a legal dispute with Jorge Masvidal and has made appearances for RAF. The removal from rankings reflects UFC's policy on fighter activity and standing.
Colby Covington has been dropped from the UFC welterweight rankings, the promotion confirming the removal as a consequence of its standard inactivity policy following his prolonged absence from competition.
Covington, 38, holds a professional record of 17-5 and built his reputation as one of the welterweight division's most durable and relentless wrestlers, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career. Fighting out of MMA Masters, the American orthodox striker last stepped into the octagon against Joaquin Buckley in 2024, suffering a stoppage defeat that proved to be his most recent appearance. Since that loss, Covington has not returned to competition, and the UFC has now reflected that absence by stripping him of his ranking position. Beyond the cage, he has been engaged in a legal dispute with former training partner Jorge Masvidal and has made appearances connected to RAF.
Buckley, the man who handed Covington that most recent defeat, sits at number 11 in the current welterweight rankings with a record of 21-8. The 32-year-old southpaw out of Murcielago MMA carries a 76-inch reach and lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the division's more dangerous stand-up fighters.
Masvidal, 41, holds a career record of 35-17 and remains a recognizable name at welterweight, though his connection to this story centers on his ongoing legal dispute with Covington rather than an upcoming bout.
Why it matters
- Covington's removal opens space in the welterweight rankings for active contenders to move up
- The decision underscores the UFC's enforcement of activity requirements to maintain ranked status
- Covington's path back into title contention would require a return to competition and a series of wins against ranked opposition
